Another Missouri Dog Breeder Found in Violation of State Animal Cruelty Codes

​The Missouri Attorney General announced today it received a consent judgment against a dog breeder in southwestern Missouri for violating the state's animal cruelty codes. Like a similar case last month, the breeder operated in Lawrence County in the southwest corner of the state.

According to the AG's office, inspectors with the Department of Agriculture found numerous violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act at the facilities called Wolfgang's Puppies and Gee Gee's Yorkies in Aurora, Missouri. The owner of the kennels, Shirley Gilbert, was cited for failing to provide:

veterinary care to animals who were in obvious medical distress

adequate ventilation and odor control

clean and dry bedding and shelter from wind and rain

waste and feces removal

adequate space

housing that protected the animals from injury.

The dogs have been placed in custody of the Humane Society of Missouri. In addition, Gilbert agreed to shut down her business for a period
of six years. She was also slapped with a judgment to pay $500 in civil
penalties and $1,000 in attorneys' fees and costs of the investigation.

The AG's office cited Gilbert under the state's old Animal Care Facilities Act because the citations occurred prior to passage this spring of the new Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, which provides even stricter standards on breeders.